Fifty years ago as he closed the April 1959 general conference, President David O. McKay twice pronounced the phrase "every member a missionary." That simple, four-word statement immediately thrust missionary work into the consciousness of the general church membership and has since thrived over the past half-century as an oft-repeated reminder.

"I think it was revolutionary, because the members of the church up until that time had felt no responsibility for missionary work," said Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve, recalling that the full-time missionaries -- comprised mostly of young men -- did virtually all of the proselyting work of that day, with little involvement from the members.

"Here was a new vision, a new responsibility for bringing the nonmembers into an opportunity to be taught the gospel," he said. "I think it was one of the most exciting statements, and it has endured -- it hasn't diminished in any way since that period of time."

Elder Perry and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve recently met with the Church News to talk about the legacy of President McKay's "every member a missionary" adage as well as the ongoing challenges and opportunities of involving Church members in missionary work. The two are joined by Bishop Richard C. Edgley of the Presiding Bishopric to comprise the Missionary Executive Committee.

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This story is provided by the LDS Church News, an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is produced weekly by the Deseret News.